Page Tools

Fans waved their club flags, scarves and banners. Shimmying,
feathery-winged dancers brought a touch of carnivale to city
streets. And sober cathedral bells were drowned out by the samba
rhythm of Brazilian drums, as Sydney yesterday farewelled Johnny
Warren.

As John Singleton, long-time friend and fellow enthusiast of the
"beautiful game", wistfully joked about the recent outpouring of
public passion, "If Johnny had been around . . . he'd probably
never have gone."

For this was the game, these were the people, these were the
sights and sounds he loved. And here was exactly the sort of
exuberant, colourful farewell, more fun than funeral, more party
than solemn procession, that Warren always wanted.

"Johnny put us on the stage here today," long-time partner,
Brazilian-born Sibere Rodriques, explained, as she joined dancers
and drummers to say a brief prayer and joyously to chant his name.
"This is our chance to pay tribute to him, and in time to fulfil
his wishes and his dreams."

The former Socceroo captain, some-time club coach, media
commentator, administrator, author and full-time football
ambassador, who died 10 days ago, was the first sports personality
to be accorded the honour of a state funeral in NSW.

Other distinguished NSW citizens have been given a state
send-off, including Henry Lawson, heart surgeon Victor Chang, Slim
Dusty and, earlier this year, World War I veteran Marcel Caux. But
there may never have been a funeral, certainly not a state funeral,
like it, as thousands filled St Andrew's Cathedral, packed its
precincts and lined the streets for a procession also shown live on
television.

Truly could it be reported that football (not "soccer" - Warren
hated the word) was the winner.

Many people wore, or carried, the colours of their favourite
teams not just in tribute to the man, but also in fulfilment of his
dream that Australia, which once shunned football as being suitable
only for "sheilas, wogs and poofters", should wholeheartedly
embrace the "world game".

He rejoiced in the highs, drowned in the lows of every fan.

Represented were countries such as Chile, Greece, France and, of
course, Australia, which Warren captained in its only World Cup
finals appearance, in 1974, and teams such as Leicester City, FC
Barcelona, Racing Club of Argentina, and St George and Canterbury,
two clubs for which he played.

Many fans, "Johnny's extended family" as his nephew James called
them, brought banners. One read: "Farewell Johnny. We luv you.
You'll live in our memories forever."

So he will. For as several speakers explained, Warren wasn't
just the conscience of football. Or, through his partnership with
Les Murray, the other half of SBS's "Mr and Mrs Football", just its
eyes and ears. He was its living, pulsing heart.

He rejoiced in the highs, drowned in the lows of every fan,
memorably breaking down in tears on television after the Socceroos
squandered a 2-0 lead against Iran in a match that, if won, would
have gained them a place once more in the World Cup finals. The
football theme was evident inside the cathedral, too. Warren's old
boots were placed on the Australian flag covering his casket,
alongside other memorabilia: club shirts, medals and awards,
including the MBE and OAM.

The service began with the hymn Abide with Me, a
traditional part of English cup finals. It closed with a more
secular football anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone,
accompanying a video of his career highlights.

It reminded the congregation that, to adapt another favourite
chant heard wherever football is played, there was, there ever will
be, only one Johnny Warren.